Automated control method and apparatus

Abstract

There is described a device and method for automatically controlling a lighting system including at least two lighting devices. The method comprises the steps of: determining a set of lighting devices to be controlled in an automated mode; determining a start reference time and an end reference time; and determining that one or more criteria for operating in the automated mode are met. Then a lighting device to be the first activated lighting device is selected from deactivated lighting devices of the set of lighting devices; and the first activated lighting device is activated during a pre-determined time period defined relative to the start reference time. Subsequently a lighting device to be the first deactivated lighting device is selected from activated lighting devices; and the first deactivated lighting device is deactivated during a pre-determined time period defined relative to the end reference time.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to environmental control. More particularly, the present invention relates to automatically controlling appliances, in particular lighting devices, at a premises in an automated mode, which may be set, for example, when the premises is unoccupied.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Timers are sometimes used to control appliances, such as lights and radios, while a premises is unoccupied, for example if the people living / working there are away for an extended period of time, such as a few days or weeks, e.g. on holiday. One idea behind controlling appliances to switch on and off when the user / occupier is not present is to try to emulate a user's normal behaviour to try to make it less obvious that there is no one in the premises. This can be useful in preventing intruders, who may monitor a premises and attempt burglaries during periods of non-occupation.[0003]The present application provides an improved method and apparatus for ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a system that can mimic a user's behavior by controlling the activation and deactivation of lights in a building. This is done by selecting specific times for the lights to be activated or deactivated. This approach is more effective than simply using timers because it makes it difficult for the system to predict when the lights will be activated or deactivated. By providing time windows for activating and deactivating the lights, the system can better emulate user behavior. This can be done by defining predetermined time periods before and after the start and end reference times. The system automatically activates the lights only during the time window and deactivates them before the end reference time. This makes the system more believable that the premises or property is occupied. Overall, this method simplifies the setup of the system and makes it easier to control the lighting in a building.

Problems solved by technology

In order to emulate user behaviour effectively, timers may be time-consuming to set, particularly where the intention is to activate multiple lights.

Timers also provide regimented times or easily predictable times, which may make it less believable that the premises or property is occupied.

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